The skepticism around the revamped FIFA Club World Cup was put to bed when the knockout phase of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup exploded into life with a Round of 16 that had everything -- early goals, extra-time thrillers, and some of the biggest names in football stunned on the world stage. As the tournament enters its final stretch, eight teams have emerged with their title hopes still alive, but not without surviving some serious tests.
Al-Hilal shock Manchester City in an extra-time classic
In arguably the biggest upset of the round, Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal knocked out English heavyweights Manchester City in a pulsating 4-3 encounter. City, widely tipped as one of the favourites, were outplayed in key moments, with Al-Hilal’s Marcos Leonardo netting the dramatic winner in the 112th minute of extra time. Despite goals from the likes of Julian Alvarez and Kevin De Bruyne, Pep Guardiola’s side couldn’t keep pace with Al-Hilal’s relentless energy.
PSG serve up a Messi shock
Lionel Messi’s return to face Paris Saint-Germain turned sour as Inter Miami were handed a harsh lesson by the reigning European champions. PSG dominated from the opening whistle, racing to a 4-0 lead by half-time, with João Neves opening the scoring early and the rest of the attack following suit. The scoreline stayed unchanged in the second half, but the damage had long been done. Luis Enrique’s side marches on with momentum firmly on their side.
Real Madrid edge past Juventus in tight affair
In a clash of continental heavyweights, Real Madrid managed to outlast Juventus 1-0 thanks to a composed finish from young forward Gonzalo Garcia. The game was cagey and tactical, but Madrid’s efficiency in front of goal proved decisive.
Meanwhile, Brazilian club Fluminense kept the South American hopes alive and delivered one of the surprise results of the round, upsetting Inter Milan with a 2-1 win that began with a third-minute opener and ended with a stoppage-time dagger.
Bayern Munich and Chelsea both advanced in style, putting four goals past Flamengo and Benfica, respectively. Palmeiras needed extra time to get past Botafogo, finally sealing the match with a 100th-minute goal in a tense all-Brazilian showdown.
What’s Next? – Quarterfinal Line-up
The stage is set for a high-stakes quarterfinal round featuring traditional powerhouses and rising challengers:
Palmeiras vs Chelsea
PSG vs Bayern Munich
Fluminense vs Al-Hilal
Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund
With the tournament heating up, fans can expect fireworks as these eight clubs battle for a spot in the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
